3 8 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6
M
alignant hyperthermia occurs in approximately 1 out of
every 1,000 surgeries performed on adults, so chances are
you'll never experience an event in your ORs — and that's
exactly why you need to prepare for it. When a patient
bleeds unexpectedly or has airway issues, your surgical
team's instincts likely kick in to prevent further harm. It's the rare emergencies
that can catch them off guard. Keep MH response protocols in the forefront of
their minds, so they react to a real-life emergency as if they've seen it all before.
Using these tips to practice and prep the right way gives staff that advantage.
1. Conduct annual drills
Make practice runs as realistic as possible and ask every staff member who
Debra
Beauchesne,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
5 Keys to a
Fast and Focused
MH Response
Staff who act quickly and
decisively are more likely to save a life.
• TEAM EFFORT The staff at North Country Hospital run drills like the real deal, so everyone knows exactly what to do when the pressure's on.
Debra Beauchesne, RN, BSN, CNOR | Newport, Vt.